Hibiscus plant named &#39;JBG 14015&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Hibiscus plant having red colored flowers with white/yellow colored highlights that last for several days on the plant over a long flowering season.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/605,169, filed Aug. 3, 2017, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

Varietal denomination: ‘JBG 14015’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct Hibiscus plant havingthe varietal name ‘JBG 14015’. The new variety is the result of aplanned breeding program with the purposes of developing Hibiscusrosa-sinensis plants that exhibit pathogen resistance, multi-day flowerswith unique coloration, and possess desirable production traits. ‘JBG14015’ is the result of a cross conducted in Grand Saline, Tex. betweenHibiscus rosa-sinensis varieties ‘JBGRHKNT’ (female parent, unpatented)and ‘JBG 784’ (male parent, unpatented). The new variety was selected inDecember of 2013 in Grand Saline, Tex. and the first asexualreproduction of the new variety was conducted by semi-mature, softwoodcuttings in October of 2014 in Grand Saline, Tex. ‘JBG 14015’ has beentrial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.The present invention has not been evaluated under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations inenvironment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

‘JBG 14015’ is similar to its female parent in having red coloredflowers with overlapping petals, but differs from its female parent inhaving white/yellow colored highlights across the flower and anincreased vigor. ‘JBG 14015’ is similar to its male parent in having redcolored flowers with overlapping petals, but differs from its maleparent in having a lighter colored flower center and petals that do notcurl forward when the flowers open.

When ‘JBG 14015’ is compared to Hibiscus rosa-sinensis variety ‘JBG14006’ (U.S. Plant patent application concurrently filed), bothvarieties exhibit red colored flowers with overlapping petals. However,the flowers of ‘JBG 14015’ are a darker red color than ‘JBG 14006’.Further, the petals of ‘JBG 14006’ are more overlapping and ruffled inappearance than ‘JBG 14015’.

The following traits distinguish ‘JBG 14015’ as a new and distinctcultivar from other Hibiscus varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   1. Red colored flowers with white/yellow colored highlights;    -   2. Overlapping flower petals;    -   3. Resistance to bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas spp.); and    -   4. Multi-day flowers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic image illustrates the new variety atapproximately one year of age, with the colors being as nearly true asis possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 illustrates a close-up view of a flower of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew variety. The color readings and measurements were taken in thesummer in Grand Saline, Tex. under natural light on approximately oneyear old, growing plants in 24.0 cm diameter containers. Colorreferences are primarily to the 1995 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London, 3^(rd) Edition, except where generalcolor terms are used.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: About 45 days at an average of 24° C.-   Time to develop roots: About 52 days at an average of 24° C.-   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting:    About 30 weeks in a 24.0 cm diameter container.-   Specific disease/pest resistance: Resistance to bacterial leaf spot    (Pseudomonas spp.).-   Heat/cold tolerance: Nothing unusual noted to date.-   Drought tolerance: Nothing unusual noted to date.-   Plant    -   -   Type.—Tropical, ornamental shrub.        -   Habit.—Upright.        -   Height.—150.0 cm at maturity.        -   Spread.—90.0 cm at maturity.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Rooting vigor: Very strong.-   Stem:    -   -   Number per plant.—9.        -   Length.—Ranging from 46.0-65.5 cm.        -   Width.—5.0-9.0 mm.        -   Texture.—Immature: Smooth. Mature: Vertically ridged.        -   Strength.—High.        -   Branch number.—Moderate with a vase-shape; 9.        -   Internode length.—2.5-3.0 cm.        -   Color.—Immature: 144B. Mature: 199B.        -   Stipules.—Number per node: 2. Shape: Linear. Length: 1.0 cm.            Width: 1.0 mm. Surface texture: Smooth. Apex: Acute. Base:            Linear. Margin: Entire. Color: 138B.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate; simple.        -   Size of leaf.—Length: 10.7 cm. Width: 9.3 cm.        -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Ovate.        -   Shape of apex.—Acute.        -   Shape of base.—Rounded.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth.        -   Margin type.—Crenate.        -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 138A. Lower surface:            143A. Mature leaves: Upper surface: 138A. Lower surface:            143A.        -   Veins.—Venation type: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: 143A.            Lower surface: 143C.        -   Petiole.—Length: 3.0 cm. Diameter: 3.0 mm. Texture: Smooth.            Color: 138A.

FLOWERS

-   Buds (described one day before flowering):    -   -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Diameter.—2.5 cm.        -   Length.—6.5 cm.        -   Color.—181B.-   Natural flowering season: From spring through fall in Grand Saline,    Tex.-   Flower type and habit: Single, with overlapping petals.-   Fragrance: None observed.-   Flowers (described on the first day of opening):    -   -   Number per stem.—1.        -   Overall depth.—10.5 cm.        -   Overall diameter.—14.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Rotate; regular.        -   Lastingness.—3 days on the plant.        -   Petals.—Number: 5. Arrangement: Simple. Length: 9.0 cm.            Width: Apex: 7.9 cm. Base: 3.7 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex:            Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture/appearance:            Upper surface: Smooth. Lower surface: Smooth. Color: When            opening and fully opened: Upper surface: 43A with 15C            highlights at the apex through the center and 46A at the            throat. Lower surface: 42A at the apex through the center            and 13C at the base.        -   Calyx.—Form: Fused. Overall length: 3.2 cm. Overall            diameter: 2.5 cm. Sepals/calyx lobes: Number: 5. Shape:            Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture: Slightly            pubescent. Color: Outer surface: 137C. Inner surface: 138B.        -   Epicalyx.—Length: 1.5 cm. Width: 4.0 mm. Texture: Smooth.            Color: 137B.        -   Bracts.—Not present.        -   Peduncle.—Length: 6.4 cm. Diameter: 4.0 mm. Strength:            Strong. Angle: 45°. Texture: Smooth. Color: 144A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Gynoecium.—Pistils: Number: 1. Length: 10.0 cm. Stigma:            Number: 5. Shape: Round. Length: 6.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm.            Color: 30C. Style: Length: 7.5 cm. Width: Apex: 4.0 mm.            Base: 9.0 mm. Color: 16B at the apex to 33B at the base.            Ovary: Shape: Ovate. Length: 1.5 cm. Width: Apex: 3.0 mm.            Base: 7.0 mm. Color: 4C.        -   Androecium.—Stamens: Number: 78. Position: Just below the            stigma on the style. Anther: Shape: U-shaped. Diameter:            2.0 mm. Color: 23A. Filament: Length: 6.0 mm. Width: 1.0 mm.            Color: 23C. Pollen: Color: 23A. Amount (generally): Heavy.

SEEDS

-   Seeds:    -   -   Number.—From 0 to 20.        -   Color.—200C.        -   Length.—5.0 mm.        -   Width.—5.0 mm.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Hibiscus plant, as is hereinillustrated and described.